Page 40 of Gilded Princess

I look around, terror twirling, rattling inside my body.

Where is she? Where’s Lainey?! Why did she go back inside that deathtrap?!

The empty street mocks me. I imagine hordes of people waiting to grab me hiding behind every corner and shrub.

I—I don’t know what to do. I can’t just leave her in there, but I can’t go back in. Terror sticks my shirt to my skin, stamping the fear to my soul in a way I’ll never forget.

My chest heaves, and my face feels wet. My fingers come away stained with my blood and tears, and there’s something so final about the sight of the bright color against my dirty fingers.

I know deep in my gut that if I go back inside that building, I’ll never come out.

I drag my fingers through my hair, spinning in a circle again, looking for help—something to guide me to my next move. My hair whips across my face as a hot breeze winds through the abandoned industrial neighborhood.

“Think, Maddie, think,” I mumble. My thoughts are a jumbled mess, but I know I need to call someone. I can’t call Mary. I don’t even know where my sister is, but I know I want her far, far away from here.

And Mom is—shit, I don’t even remember if she’s in the city. And even if she were, and assuming she’d want to help, she’d never make it in time.

I wipe my brow again, ignoring the bright slash of blood on the back of my dirty hand. And then it hits me. I don’t even think twice about it.

“Matteo.”

I know he’ll come for me.

I thank fate for small miracles when I realize my phone is still wedged inside my small crossbody purse, which is still draped across my chest. With trembling fingers, I pull it out and go to my contacts, looking for the number I never thought I’d call again.

Pressing his name, I bring the phone to my ear and listen to it ring once before the line connects. Before he says anything, I say, “Matteo.” My voice cracks on his name.

“Where are you?” His tone is firm, his words quick and urgent.

A sob works its way up my throat. “I—I don’t know. I’m in trouble, Matteo. I’m at a warehouse. And it’s collapsing, and I—I’m scared.”

“Get the fuck outta that building, Madison, right the fuck now!” His voice is loud, and it clears some of the fog I’m wading through.

“I—I am. I’m outside the building.”

“That’s good, Cherry. Stay right where you are, okay? I’ll be right there.” Some of the harshness leaves his voice, but the urgency is wrapped around his clipped words.

Relief hits me hard, and I sink to my knees. Pebbles press into my skin, but I don’t move. It gives me something to focus on instead of the crumbling building in front of me.

“How? How will you know where I am?”

“I’ll always find you, Cherry. Always. Stay on the phone with me, yeah?”

“Hurry, Matteo. I don’t know if he’ll come back . . .”

“Who? Who’s going to come back?”

The ringing in my ears gets louder, and I have to press my palm to my ear to block it out. I can’t really make it out, but it sounds like Matteo’s barking orders at someone.

I pivot on my knees, trying to place the noise. It sounds almost like sirens, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from.

“Cherry? Are you still there?”

I tilt my head to the side. The rocks on the road cut into my skin, but I can’t make myself move. If I move, then Matteo might not find me. And I have to stay here to wait for him. And Lainey.

“I swear to God, Madison, you better be okay when I get there or I’m going to burn the city down in retribution.” His words are a growl.

It’s one of my favorite things to hear—the way his lips curve around each syllable and the deep, throaty almost growl that pushes through.

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